As we transition from the chill of winter to the warmth of spring, it’s the perfect time to give your garden the attention it deserves. Spring pruning is an essential task that helps your plants thrive by promoting healthy growth, enhancing blooms, and keeping your outdoor space looking neat and tidy. However, it’s crucial to know what to prune, when to prune, and most importantly, what not to prune!
In this blog, we’ll guide you through the essentials of spring pruning—what to cut, when to do it, and how to avoid mistakes that could harm your plants.
Why Prune in Spring?
Pruning in spring helps stimulate healthy growth and removes any dead, damaged, or diseased branches, which can prevent future problems. It’s also the best time to trim back plants that have grown too large or become unruly over the winter months. Proper pruning in spring encourages a stronger, more vibrant garden, leading to healthier plants and better blooms.
What to Prune in Spring
1. Old Wood:
Spring is an ideal time to prune plants that have old wood—the parts of the plant that grew in the previous season. Over the winter, old wood can become weak, dry, or brittle. Pruning back old wood encourages new growth and rejuvenates your plants.
- Examples:
- Clematis: Cut back dead vines to allow fresh shoots to emerge.
- Roses: Prune back the old, woody stems and dead or dying branches to encourage stronger stems for new blooms.
2. Ornamental Grasses:
Ornamental grasses may start looking messy after the winter. Pruning them back will allow them to grow fresh, vibrant blades when the weather warms up. However, make sure to prune before the new shoots emerge.
- When to prune: As soon as the new growth starts to appear at the base of the grass clumps.
- How to prune: Cut back the old foliage to about 2-4 inches from the ground to make room for the new growth.
3. Hydrangeas:
Many types of hydrangeas, especially those that bloom on new wood, benefit from a good spring pruning. By trimming back old, dead stems, you’ll help stimulate new, healthy growth that will result in stunning flowers.
- When to prune: Late winter to early spring, just before the new growth begins.
What to prune: Cut back dead stems and any old wood. If you have hydrangeas that bloom on old wood (like mophead hydrangeas), prune them lightly, removing only dead or damaged wood to preserve this year’s blooms.
What NOT to Prune in Spring
While pruning can be incredibly beneficial for many plants, there are some you should avoid pruning during springtime. Some plants require their blossoms or flowers to grow on old wood, and cutting these back too soon can prevent you from enjoying their vibrant blooms.
1. Flowering Shrubs and Trees:
Avoid pruning shrubs and trees that bloom early in the season, such as:
- Forsythia: Prune after it blooms to avoid cutting off the buds for the next year.
- Lilacs: These bloom on old wood, so if you prune them in the spring, you’ll lose next year’s flowers.
- Magnolias & Azaleas: Prune them after they’ve finished flowering, as cutting them back before they bloom can diminish their spring show.
Pruning these plants after their blossoms fade ensures that you don’t remove buds, which are already forming for next year’s flowers.
2. Spring Blooming Trees & Shrubs:
Trees like dogwood, cherry, and apple trees bloom on older wood, so avoid pruning them before they flower. Doing so could result in fewer blooms or none at all for the season. Wait until after flowering to prune for the best results.
Tips for Effective Spring Pruning
- Use Clean, Sharp Tools: Always use sharp pruning shears, loppers, or saws to make clean cuts. Dull tools can damage plants and make the pruning process harder.
- Remove Dead or Diseased Growth First: Before shaping or thinning, make sure to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches to promote healthy growth.
- Don’t Over-prune: It’s easy to get carried away, but too much pruning can stress plants. Stick to pruning only what’s necessary, especially for young plants or trees.
- Cut at the Right Angle: Always make cuts at a 45-degree angle, just above a bud. This helps water to flow off the cuts and promotes proper healing.
Spring pruning is an important part of garden care, but knowing when and how to prune is key to keeping your plants healthy and thriving. Pruning at the right time—whether it’s cutting back old wood, trimming ornamental grasses, or removing dead hydrangea stems—helps encourage growth, improves blooms, and keeps your garden in top shape.
Remember, not all plants should be pruned in spring, especially those that flower on old wood. If you’re unsure when to prune your plants, feel free to reach out to Blue Sparrow Lawn & Landscape for expert advice or assistance.
Let us help you get your garden ready for a beautiful spring season!